AI, Data Science, and Digital Transformation Lead

Keewaytinook Okimakanak Board of Educationabout 20 hours ago

Dryden, Ontario

Senior Level

full_time

Position Summary

The AI, Data Science, and Digital Transformation lead directs the design, deployment, and governance of artificial intelligence (AI) systems, data analytics, and enterprise resource planning (ERP) tools across KOBE. This role drives the creation of AI tutor agents, lesson-planning systems, and productivity tools that integrate community priorities into the learning process. The incumbent also establishes robust data and ERP infrastructure to connect academic, financial, and administrative systems, ensuring data-driven decision-making and operational efficiency. The Lead serves as the board's AI and data strategist, training staff, administrators, and community leaders to use AI ethically and effectively while supporting IT teams in maintaining secure, high-performing digital environments. Programming skills in AI/ML are required for this position.

Key Responsibilities

• Artificial Intelligence Innovation and Learning Systems

• Design and deploy AI tutor agents that support personalized student learning in literacy, numeracy, language, and other school subject areas.

• Develop AI models that incorporate local culture, community knowledge, and Indigenous language content.

• Create and oversee AI-assisted lesson planning systems that dynamically align with Ontario curriculum standards and community-based learning.

• Integrate AI tools into digital classrooms, distance learning platforms, and administrative workflows.

• Monitor ethical use, data integrity, and continuous improvement of all AI systems.

• Data Science, Analytics, and Decision Support

• Establish a comprehensive data governance framework covering collection, analysis, visualization, and protection of board data.

• Build predictive models to analyze student achievement, attendance, special education, and staffing trends.

• Develop and maintain interactive dashboards and reporting tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau) for leadership and community accountability.

• Capacity Building and AI Literacy Training

• Deliver training and mentoring programs for educators, administrators, and community leaders on AI, data analytics, and automation.

• Create an internal 'AI Learning Hub' featuring tutorials, ethical guidelines, and productivity use cases.

• Support schools in adopting AI tools that reduce administrative burden and enhance student engagement.

• Train board staff and local education authorities in data-informed decision-making and digital transformation leadership.

• Develop and enforce clear AI ethics and use policies for responsible implementation across all departments.

• Research, Evaluation, and Partnerships

• Lead research initiatives on AI and data innovation in Indigenous and remote education contexts.

• Evaluate pilot programs and measure impact on student outcomes, equity, and organizational efficiency.

• IT and Technical Oversight

• Serve as Tier 3 support for complex technical incidents or upgrades.

Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Data Science, Computer Science, AI, or Information Systems required.

• Master's degree in Data Analytics, AI, or Information Management preferred.

• Professional certifications in project management (PMP), ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, Power BI, Azure), or cybersecurity considered an asset.

Experience:

• Experience in AI, data analytics, or enterprise systems management, with leadership in education or public sector preferred. Exceptional new graduates of in-depth AI/ML programs will be considered.

• Demonstrated success developing and deploying AI educational tools and data visualization systems.

• Experience implementing or overseeing enterprise-level data integrations.

• Strong background in cross-departmental technology leadership.

Skills and Competencies:

• Expertise in Python, SQL, Power BI, and major AI APIs (OpenAI, Anthropic, Azure AI, etc.).

• Strong understanding of data engineering, analytics pipelines, and model governance.

• Ability to communicate complex concepts clearly to non-technical audiences.

• Commitment to ethical AI, Indigenous data sovereignty, and cultural safety in digital systems.

• Excellent leadership, facilitation, and strategic planning abilities.

Work Environment

Hybrid position based in Thunder Bay, Sioux Lookout, Dryden, or Red Lake — with board office, remote collaboration, and community site visits required. Occasional evening or weekend work for training, system launches, or leadership meetings may be required.

Interview Process will include a test of AI/ML related programming languages and of database creation skills.

Education

Keewaytinook Okimakanak, which means Northern Chiefs in Oji-Cree, is a non-political Chiefs Council serving Fort Severn, Keewaywin, Deer Lake, North Spirit Lake, Poplar Hill, and McDowell Lake First Nations. Keewaytinook Okimakanak Board of Education (KOBE) is mandated by the leadership of those communities to coordinate their educational programming.

KOBE is committed to seeing the growth of educational programs and services in these communities and weaving each community's diverse and rich history and traditions into all its academic planning while continuously "Moving Education Forward."